Job

I was reading in Psalms yesterday and ran across this verse (33:7): "He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses." That reminded me of some of the imagery in the book of Job: (38:37) "Who can tip over the water jars of the heavens?"

So, I've been reading some of the later chapters of Job (32-42) and am amazed at some of the truths there.

WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING COME FROM GOD'S SPIRIT

Elihu (son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram) rebukes Job and his friends. Since he was the youngest person there, he sat and waited until everyone else was done speaking. Finally, he spoke up...

"I thought, 'Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.' But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding. It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right." (32:7-9)

"For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food. Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good." (34:3-4)

NO ONE (EXCEPT GOD) IS PERFECT

Job claims over and over to be righteous. And, to be fair, God even refers to him as "blameless and upright" in chapter 1. But, Elihu points out that God is over all and above all... "It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice. Who appointed him over the earth? Who put him in charge of the whole world? If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath, all mankind would perish together and man would return to the dust." (34:12-15)

i.e. - Man is still man... fallible and imperfect... subject to God and dependent on His mercy.

GOD HAS A PLAN AND PURPOSE FOR OUR SUFFERING

Elihu explains that often it's our suffering that causes us to turn (or turn more fully) to God: "God does all these things to a man - twice, even three times - to turn back his soul from the pit, that the light of life may shine on him." (33:29-30) "But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction. He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food." (36:15-16)

WE SHOULD BE CAREFUL WHEN QUESTIONING GOD

Job indicts God on several counts, which include...

1) God has left him/ignored him (29:1-6, 30: 20)
2) God has attacked him/has bad intentions toward him (30:19, 21-23, 26)
3) God is unjust (27:1-6)

Check this out, though... in Job 40:8, God asks of Job, "Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?"

Ouch! How many times do we want to blame God, in an attempt to maintain our own righteousness? It's easy to want to point a finger at God when we're suffering. (I know I've charged God with many of the same things as Job!) BUT... God will not be mocked. If you catch yourself questioning God, I'd encourage you to take a look at Job... especially the last few chapters where God responds to Job.


What great reminders! I know I sometimes (often) I need to be put back in my place. The book of Job helps me find my way back there. :)

The Extent of My Creativity...

The KDR 2009 Christmas Card Collection:


Probably my favorite:
Classic:
Contemporary:

Ember... my littlest niece

Word of the Week: ACTUALLY

I hadn't been home long when I noticed that nearly every sentence my four-year-old niece, Natalie, utters includes the word "actually." It was pretty entertaining, and I inquired as to who she picked that up from. My sister ("Mom") replied, "Actually, I'm not sure where she picked that up." Well... it wasn't long until I heard my Mom ("Grandma") say it. Then, my brother-in law ("Dad") was caught in the act. My Dad ("Grandpa"), too. Yes, even me ("Aunt Krista") as well as the Geico Gecko on TV. It appears poor little Natalie never had a fighting chance.

Actually, it's pretty funny when you think about it! ;)